Q: I am in CSRS Offset, retiring in November at age 58 with 30 years at the time of retirement. If I choose to re-employ, how will my annuity be affected by my new Social Security earnings? A: Since you won’t be eligible for a Social Security benefit until you reach age 62, you won’t be affected by the Social Security earnings limit. You can earn as much as you want until then without it affecting your CSRS annuity. However, if you are re-employed by the federal government, as a rule the salary of your new position would be offset…
Q: How many years of continuous service do I need with the postal service to be eligible to receive retirement benefits? A: Years of creditable service alone won’t qualify you for anything. To be eligible for a retirement benefit you have to have the right combination of age and service. For CSRS they are: 55 with 30, 60 with 20 or 62 with 5. For FERS they are: your minimum retirement age with 30, 60 with 20 or 62 with 5. MRAs range from 55 to 57, depending on your birth year. Under FERS, you can also retire at your…
Q: I understand that COLAs are based on an effective date of Dec. 1. Under CSRS, if I retire on Oct. 31, will I be eligible for a part (i.e., 1/12) of any COLA due for January 2012, or would I have to wait until January 2013 to see any increase in my pension? A: If you retire at the end of October, you’d be on the annuity roll in November. Therefore, you’d be eligible for 1/12th of the cost-of-living adjustment, which would show up in your January 2012 annuity payment. Of course, that’s assuming that there will be a…
Q: How can I get a copy of National Guard discharge papers? A: Unfortunately, we are only qualified to answer questions about federal civilian benefits. You might try going to www.ng.mil and clicking on the words “Contact Us” in the upper right-hand corner. Alternatively, you could go through your local phone book and call the nearest National Guard Armory.
Q: My SF-50 shows “no” for veterans preference for a Reduction in Force. My 30-percent disability is from a diving accident that was hazardous duty. How do I get my SF-50 corrected? A: To establish your entitlement to veterans preference, you’ll need to provide your personnel office with proof of your service-connected disability.
Q: I have self-only health insurance coverage because my spouse’s health insurance is paid by her employer. I will retire in December 2016. She will retire on the same date. At that time, her employer will no longer pay her premiums. Since I have had my coverage as self-only for the five years prior to retirement, may I change my insurance to self and family coverage? A: Yes.
Q: My friend served seven years and three months in the Coast Guard and has worked for the post office for 25 years. He’s looking to retire, but was told that his Coast Guard time is not counted, and he would only be entitled to $400 per month. He is turning 56 on Sept. 24. A: Active-duty service in the Coast Guard is creditable for determining his length of service and in the computation of his annuity, but only if he makes a deposit to the civilian retirement system, plus accrued interest, while still employed.
Q: At age 60, I was removed from federal service after 11 years and 11 months of service. I initiated a Merit Systems Protection Board action and now I am being offered the option to resign to be dated in June 2011. If I resign, would I be able to retire at age 62? If so, how early do I apply for retirement? I am under FERS. A: Yes, you would be eligible for a deferred retirement at age 62. To apply for it, you’ll need to download a copy of Form RI 92-19, Application for Deferred or Postponed Retirement,…
Q: I have 20 years and nine months of service as a military technician. I have switched to Active Guard Reserve status, and I have been on leave without pay for five years. If I decide to stay AGR can I draw 20.9 percent of my technician salary at 62, or another age? I don’t want to take a cash buyout now if I can defer it and receive 20.9 percent of my high-3 years sometime later. Could I possibly buy back the five years LWOP also, making it 25 years and nine months? A: As a FERS employee with…
Q: I am a 60-year-old CSRS retiree enrolled in an FEHB family plan. My wife is several years younger than me. If I enroll in Medicare at age 65, what happens to my wife’s FEHB coverage? Do I need to continue my FEHB plan even after I enroll in Medicare to insure she is covered? Would I be better off forgoing Medicare and just relying on my FEHB plan? A: In order for your wife to continue her coverage, you’ll need to maintain your FEHB enrollment in the self and family option. While you will be eligible for Medicare Part…